Disclaimer:
Standard disclaimers apply. They're like little dolls you can dress
up and play with, but I always put my toys back when I'm done.

Archive:
Feel free, just drop me a line so I know (my ego is like that)

Beta:
darkbunnyrabbit-ish. Sorry to Rosesbud, who am awesomest and
long-suffering beta, but I has post-itus.

A/N:
Come on, we all love these. There've been a rash of these types of
fics lately and what can I say? Y'all've inspired me.

Summary:
The Doctor has a serious health problem. Jack has a cure. Can they
match the two up?

Knees pulled to her
chest and sitting comfortably in the jump chair, Rose bit at her
thumb nail as Jack concluded his presentation. "And so, as you can
see, the cost-benefit analysis clearly shows that my method to
resolving our current…issue is the most economical, least
time-consuming and, quite frankly, the most fun." He grinned,
flashing his pearly whites. How did anyone get teeth that perfect?
Maybe everybody's teeth were perfect in the future. "And really,
it's the only way to fix this. Otherwise, well, the consequences
will completely suck."

Beside her he Doctor
shifted slightly on his feet, leather-clad arms still folded over his
chest. Without even looking, she knew his lips were pursed. It was
something about the way the air was rushing out of his rather
distinctive nose. "You've got to be kidding me."

Spreading his hands,
Jack leaned against the control column. "It's absolutely
perfect. It's a fool-proof plan!"

The Doctor glanced down
at Rose, incredulously. "You buyin' this?" He held up a hand.
"Of course you're buyin' this."

Rose tilted her head
forward, letting her hair fall in front of her face, so he couldn't
see her blushing. "Well, if we haveta…"

When the Doctor shifted
again, it was almost as if the leather of his jacket was sighing as
it brushed against itself. "We don't have to do anything."

The Doctor walked away
from both of his companions, around the control column, and began
charting a path through the vortex. He flipped various switches and
turned dials casually, as if the question had never come up.

Jack put his hand on
Rose's shoulder. "That's because he doesn't have a plan,
sweetheart."

Wiping her
spittle-covered thumb on the back of her jeans, Rose slid off the
chair, wound around the column and tugged on the Doctor's sleeve.
"What're you going to do about it?"

Sighing, the Doctor put
a hand on the girl's, squeezing it briefly. "I don't know,
Rose. But I refuse to believe this situation is as… dire as Jack
is making it out to be."

"I'm just worried
about your health, Doc!" Jack called out from the other side of the
column.

Entwining her fingers
in his, Rose tried not to let her worry show, but it wasn't
helping. Not when she squeezed his hand like that, and she was sure
he knew it. "I'm just worried about you. That's all. I don't
want something…preventable to happen to you."

When Jack had his back
turned, the Doctor put his head upon Rose's. "I'll think of
something. I refuse to believe that Jack's solution is the only
solution."

Inhaling the scent of
leather and sooty oil, Rose closed her eyes. Why were men so
stubborn? "But the consequence is…pretty awful, don't you
think? I mean, certainly…the cure can't be worse than the
disease."

The
Doctor lifted his head from hers, then tilted her chin. His eyes
searched hers, trying to convey as much comfort as he could. "There
are very few illnesses that can only be cured by…Look Rose. I'll
figure it out. I refuse to think that I only have two choices in
this matter. Jack's suggested solution, or certain death. I don't
care what the computers say, I don't care what the books say. I
don't care what the pigmy Roterans say." He kissed her forehead,
and she put her cheek against the cool leather of his jacket.

Sighing,
the Doctor leaned his head against hers again. "There has to be a
third answer. It can't just be…shag Jack, or die."

THE
END.

The author would like to thank you for your continued support. Your review has been posted.